House OKs Expanding Senior Housing Development Fund Grants

(Juneau) - The Alaska State House of Representatives today unanimously passed a bill that will benefit senior citizens across the state by including regional housing authorities in the eligibility pool for receiving housing development grants. Rep. Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, sponsored the bill, House Bill 65, along with fellow Bush Caucus members Reps. Bob Herron, D-Bethel, Neal Foster, D-Nome, and Reggie Joule, D-Kotzebue.

HB 65 brings the state's regional housing authorities, which are among Alaska' most experienced builders, into the eligibility pool.~ Rep. Bryce Edgmon

HB 65 adds the state's 14 regional housing authorities, spanning from Ketchikan to Barrow, to the list of entities eligible for grants through the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation's Senior Citizens Housing Development Fund, or SCHDF. The fund contributes to organizations that develop quality housing for older Alaskans. Currently, the grants have been available to municipalities and 501(c)(3) and (4) nonprofits.

"Senior housing fund grants are oftentimes the final piece in the puzzle - 'gap funding' that allows worthy projects to go forward," Edgmon said. "HB 65 brings the state's regional housing authorities, which are among Alaska' most experienced builders, into the eligibility pool. Alaska's senior population is growing and the SCHDF will play a significant role in ensuring their needs are met."

HB 65 passed by a vote of 38 to zero and now moves to the Alaska Senate for consideration.